New bylaws passed on May 27, 2004

Below are the Constitution and Bylaws of the Society for Disability Arts and Culture, incorporated November 9, 1998.

Constitution

1) The name of the Society is SOCIETY FOR DISABILITY ARTS AND CULTURE (S4DAC).

2) The purposes of the Society are charitable, beneficial to the community as a whole and more specifically, will:

encourage the integration of people with disabilities into the creative, artistic and social life of Canadian communities
assist in the development and presentation of festivals celebrating disability arts and culture
promote and provide informative sessions, workshops, classes, performance and exhibits for and by Canadian artists with disabilities
educate the public about disability by providing authentic, dynamic and non-sentimental images of disability to disabled and non-disabled audiences, for the purpose of celebrating the unique perspectives, strengths and creativity of artists with disabilities
foster ongoing communication and a vibrant creative practice among Canadian artists with disabilities, for the purpose of encouraging and enabling artists to create authentic interpretations of the disability experience
promote broad public recognition of and respect for artistic forms grounded in the experience of disability for the purpose of instilling and integrating local practices that will make the arts more accessible to all members of the Canadian public.

3) The purposes of the Society will be promoted through the use of funds contributed by any persons or entity that desires to contribute to the charitable purposes of the Society. The provisions of this paragraph 3 shall be alterable.

4) The affairs of the Society shall be conducted so as to promote the purposes of the Society and the Society shall not carry on activities for the purpose of the personal financial gain of its Members. The provisions of this paragraph 4 shall be unalterable.

5) The affairs of the Society shall not be conducted so as to carry on propaganda or otherwise attempt to influence legislation or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office. The provisions of this paragraph 5 shall be unalterable.

6) Upon the winding up or dissolution of the Society and after payment of all debts and liabilities, the remaining property of the Society shall be distributed or disposed of within one year to such organizations with similar purposes to the Society, as may be determined by members of the Society at the time of the winding up or dissolution, provided that each such organization is either a registered charity or qualified donee recognized by Revenue Canada to be qualified as such under the Income Tax Act of Canada from time to time in effect. The provisions of this paragraph 6 shall be unalterable.

Bylaws

A. Interpretation

The following Bylaws provide for the matters referred to in section 6(1) of the Society Act of the Province of British Columbia.

In these bylaws:
“ Society” refers to the Society for Disability Arts and Culture
“ Director/s” means the Director/s of the Society
“ Member/s” means Member/s of the Society
“ Society Act” means the Society Act of the Province of British Columbia from time in force and all amendments to it
" registered address” of a Member means her/his address as recorded in the register of Members.

B. Membership

1. There shall be two categories of membership in the Society: Individual Members
Organizational Members

Individual Membership

2. Individual membership in the Society shall be open to all individuals who subscribe to the objectives of the Society as outlined in the Constitution.

3. Individual Members may have voice and one vote per Member at all meetings of the Society.

4. It is the duty of each Individual Member, in order to remain in good standing in this Society to comply with the Bylaws of the Society and pay, when due, the annual dues for the current year.

Organizational Membership

5. Organizational membership in the Society shall be open to all groups who subscribe to the objectives of the Society as outlined in the Constitution.

6. Organizational Members will appoint one representative, who will have one vote and a voice at meetings.

7. It is the duty of each Organizational Member, in order to remain in good standing in this Society to comply with the Bylaws of the Society and pay, when due, the annual dues for the current year.

Termination or Withdrawal of Membership

8. Any Member who desires to withdraw from the Society shall notify the Board of Directors in writing to that effect and on receipt by the Board of Directors of such notice, the Member shall cease to be a Member.

9. Any Member shall cease to be a Member upon failure to pay the annual membership dues.

10. The fees will be determined at the last meeting of the Board before the Annual General Meeting.

11. Any Member may be expelled from the Society by a special resolution of Members passed in a Special General Meeting called for that purpose. (See Article 20)

12. At a meeting described in Article 11, a Member has the right to speak on her/his own behalf and shall have recourse to the rules of natural justice.